Coverage of Toronto's Demonstration for Gaza

As the civilian death toll in the attack against Gaza mounts, and as governments worldwide remain silent to the numerous breaches of human rights on behalf of Israel, citizens worldwide are expressing their anger through demonstrations. Aljazeera is reporting millions of people worldwide going out to the streets and telling their governments enough is enough. Canada is no different. Multiple demonstrations have been held in Ontario and Quebec the past couple of days, including demonstrations in Kitchener, Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton.

On Saturday multiple organizations organized a very successful demonstration in downtown Toronto drawing over 5000 people from a wide range of backgrounds. The mood was emotional and charged, while the police presence was plentiful and varied, with some on foot, others on horseback and bicycles. People carried signs, flags and mock-up coffins to symbolize the innocent victims, while chanting slogans calling for the end of the occupation, shame to Israel, and freedom for Gaza and Palestine. A small group of pro-Israel demonstrators mobilized across from the Palestinian demo holding up signs ironically saying “Israel = Love” which could be true if “Love” equated to blood and missiles.

The demonstrators marched on Toronto’s busy Yonge Street towards the Israeli Consulate, where several people gave speeches and demonstrators chanted slogans reflecting their anger. The demonstrators continued on to the American Consulate to be greeted by tens of cops and metal barriers, putting the demonstrators at least 150 meters away from the consulate. “Shame on Bush” “Shame, Shame USA” and “From Iraq to Palestine, Occupation is a Crime” were only a few of the handful of slogans repeated by thousands. Through the whole demonstration hundreds of peoples stopped to learn about the occupation, some held out peace signs, others chanted with along with the crowd.

I think it would be optimistic to expect demonstrations like Toronto’s would stop the Israeli aggression against Gaza. At a minimum these demonstrations get the word out. The media’s bias has been shameful. The few missiles Hamas has launched is getting more coverage than the thousands launched by Israel responsible for killing over 500, and injuring 2500 Palestinians thus far. The governments’ silence is deafening. How many more innocent lives have to be ended before the US, and the morally corrupt, useless organization that is the United Nations draw the line? Mr. Bush along with his puppy Ban Ki-moon raced to condemn Russia’s invasion of Georgia a few months ago but continue to the turn the other way through the Gazan struggle. It’s becoming really clear that in the currency of lives, The Palestinian isn’t worth much. I'll leave you with some images of the demonstrations, more on my flickr page.

Children protesting in front of City Hall in Kitchener

Along Yonge Street

Police presence at Dundas Square

Not in her name!